The construction plan for Laixi-Laiyang integrated development pilot zone, first of its kind in Shandong province, was recently approved by the Shandong Provincial People's Government.

Laixi and Laiyang will promote integrated development. [Photo/Guanhai News]

The pilot zone covers the whole area of Laixi city in Qingdao and Laiyang city in Yantai, with a land area of 3,300 square kilometers and a total population of 1.52 million. It will be built into a new growth pole of Jiaodong Economic Circle, as well as a model of integrated development of counties and national urban-rural integration.

Laixi and Laiyang are located in the central area of Jiaodong Economic Circle. The two cities are close to each other geologically and enjoy similar cultural background. With integration in industrial development, the two cities have a good foundation for integrated development, said Shandong officials.

The two cities will work together to develop leading industries with distinctive features, implement co-protection and joint governance of the ecological environment, speed up infrastructure connectivity, improve coordination and opening up, and promote joint development and sharing of public services.

By 2025, the main functional framework of the pilot zone will be basically formed, and substantial progress will be made in the integration of the two cities.